Indicator fuse plug



june 24, 1947. M- G, CHlTTUM INDICATOR FUSE PLUG Filed Sept. 28, 1945 FI G. 5

INVENTOR MELvlN o. cHlTTuM,

ATTORNEYS4 Patented June 24, 1947 UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE INDICATORFUSE PLUG Melvin G. Chittum, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application September 28, 1945, Serial No. 619,048

4 Claims. l

My invention relates to electrical plug fuse constructions and novelimprovements therein. It is an object of my invention to provide asimple construction that is sturdy in structure including a uniquecompact and reliable electrical connection for a glow lamp or light toindicate the burning out or blowing of the fuse element.

It is an object of my invention to construct a sectional plugv body ofinsulating material that is sturdy, easily assembled and so constructedas to afford an efficient shield or protecting means for the glow lamp.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a plug fuseconstruction provided with an unique arrangement or combination with aremovable cartridge which carries the destructible fuse element.

Other objects and advantages of construction will be revealed in thedetailed description of the accompanying drawings which constitute apart of this specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially centrallyof my new plug fuse,

Figure 2 is a side elevational View showing the shielded position of theglow lamp,

Figure 3 is a plan view of my new plug fuse,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a terminal conductor for the fuseelement and one side of the glow lamp, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a terminal conductor for the otherside of the glow lamp.

The drawings are merely illustrative of my invention and not definitivethereof except as claimed herein.

The reference characters of the specification and drawings identify theparticular details essential to carry out the principles of my newinvention.

In my invention the complete plug I comprises the sections 2 and 3 whichare secured together by the screw-threaded terminal thimble 4 having theinturned flange 5. The section 2 includes a deep recess flanked by theprotecting walls 6 and 1.

Section 3 is provided with a tubular extension Il located inconcentrically spaced relation within the section 2. It is noted thatthe extension 8 is integral with an apertured disc portion 9 having anintegral apertured boss I0. The boss I0 is tapered outwardly to itsaperture. The apertured disc 9 and its boss ID are in alignment with thetubular extension 8 and are adapted to frictionally receive thecartridge II and removably retain it in position, Y

The sections 2 and 3 may be made preferably of any suitable moldableinsulating material. The oiset conductor I2 is provided with a legconstituting a contact terminal I4 and a leg I3 which extend in oppositedirections from each other. The offset conductor I2' may be molded inposition on the inner section while the inner section is being molded.'Ihe walls 6 and I of the recess are undercut to receive and retain atransversely arranged conductor I5 having the depending leg I6 which iselectrically connected with the iianged thimble 4.

The glow lamp II is located in the recess between the walls 6 and 1 andis amply protected by said walls. One terminal of the glow lamp isconnected electrically directly with the transverse conductor I 5 by theconductor I8.

The other terminal of glow lamp Il is connected by a conductor I9leading through a recess 20 in the transverse conductor I5 to one end ofa resistance element 2|. The opposite end of the resistance element 2|is connected to the leg I3 of the offset conductor I2 by the conductor22.

The tubular iibrous cartridge II is provided ,with slotted end caps 23and 24 to receive the flat ends of the meltable conductor fuse element25. The flat ends 26 and 2l are bent over in the same direction. Thesebent ends 2'6 and 21 hold the caps 23 and 24 on the brous tube I I andsupports itself in place in the tube. The bent ends 26 and2'I constituteelectrical contacts.

When the fuse is burned out, melted or blown out, the cartridge canreadily be removed after the plug I has been removed from its socket.After the line connected to the socket (not shown) has been placed inworking condition, a new cartridge may be placed in the plug I.

Since the caps 23 and 24 are removable both from the iibrous'tube I Iand the fuse element 25, it is feasible to place a new fuse element 25in the fibrous tubev and through the slotted caps 23 and 24 and therebyproduce a rebuilt cartridge II.

The transverse conductor is provided with a struck-up yieldable tongue28 deflected to the same side of the transverse conductor I5 as the legIB. The transverse conductor also includes a depending lug 29 whichtogether with the leg I6 prevents endwise displacement of the transverseconductor I5 relative to the section 2.

To assemble the fuse plug I and its glow lamp II, itis feasible to takethe inner section 3 with its in situ offset conductor I2, and connectthe leg I3 of the conductor I2 to the lower end of the resistanceelement 2l by means of the conductor 22. The other end of the resistanceelement 2| is then connected to the complementari end ci the conductorIS. The outer section 2 is next taken and shifted to a position suchthat the transverse conductor I5 may be slid endwise between the walls 5and l, with the leg I6 and lug 29 depending from the opposite ends ofsaid conductor in engaging contact with the compleinentalcircumferential edges of the section 2. In sliding the conductor I5endwise between the walls 5 and 'I of the outer section 2, the other endof the conductor I9 is inserted through the recess 25 in the conductorI5. The outer section 2 is then placed over the inner section, whereuponthe thimble fl is threaded onto the section 2 until the flange 5 is inabutting engagementwith the exterior face of the section 3, clamping thesections 2 and 3 together. The end oi the conductor I9 projectingthrough the recess. 20. of the transverse conductor I5 is connected toone of the terminals for the glow lamp I'l. of the leg I6 and the edgeof the thimble 4 are then electricall5r connected togetherby means ofsuitable solder I6. The'end of the other termina-l i8 from the glow lampll is likewise electrically connectedto the transverse conductor I5 bythe use of solder, as atr I8. With the sections 2and. 3 thusV assembled,the'glow lamp I'I is inserted in the recess formed bythe spaced walls 5and 7,. andmounted inthe. socket provided therefor'.

The glow lampy l'! 'is preferably a neon tube light, but any othersuitable light could be used.

When the fuse plug is in normal operation, no appreciable amount ofelectric current passes through the resistance element and the lamp sothat no light. is produceduntil the fuse burns out. When the` fuseelement burns out the conductor I4 being inl contact with the cap 23provides a path for the current to pass through the lamp to indicatethat vthe fuse element is burned out.

Thev transverse conductor I 5 is preferably made of resilient brassstock, that is, it-shou-ld be elasticv yetbendable so that the-essentialbends and deiiections can be successfully made..

The thimble 4, the offset conductor I2 and the caps 23 and 24 arepreferably made of brass. Off course, other suitable electricalconducting materia'lvmay be used.

Itiis noted that thetube of cartridge I I is preferably madewof brousinsulating material but suitable plastic compositions maybe substitutedif found to be feasible.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is'.

l. An indicator iuseplug comprising an inner section, an outer sectionhaving a recess in its outer portion, a flanged thimble for securingsaid sections together; means on said inner section adapted to receiveand supporta fuse cartridge therein, .a fuse cartridge provided Vwith aninlet and an outlet terminal mounted within said means, a transverselyarranged conductor within said recess and supported by the outersection, said conductor having a depending leg and a tongue deiiectedtoward the inner section and located in the path of said cartridge, saidtongue being in engagement with the outlet terminal of said cartridge,the depending leg of said transversely arranged conductor beingelectrically connected to said thimble, a glow lamp having a pair ofterminals mounted within said recess, one of the pair of terminals oisaid glow lamp being directly connected to said transversely arrangedconductor, a resistance element, a conductor on said inner sectionhaving an end thereof in contact with the inlet terminal of saidcartridge and its `opposite end connected to the complemental end ofsaid resistance element, and a second conductor leading from the otherof the pair of terminals of said glow lamp and connected to the otherend of said resistance element.

2. The construction set forth in claim 1, in whichthe thimble and theouter section are provided with associated complemental screwthreadswhereby the inner section may be clamped to the outer' section.

3. An indicator fuse plug construction comprising an inner sectionprovided with a hollow tubular extending portion, an outer sectionhaving a hollow tubular portion provided with screw threads about itsexterior peripheral surface, the hollow tubular portion of the outersection enclosing the hollow tubular portion of the inner section andspaced from the latter, ailanged thimble provided with screw threadstherealong and having its screw/.threads in engagement with thesscrewlthreads ofY the, tubular.Y portion of` said outerjsection` for securingthe inner and outer sections'together, saidcouter section includingspacedwalls defining arecess,Y a transversely arranged conductor withinsaid recess, there being a portion; ofreduced width on"said'conductor toprovideav recess saidwalls being undercut to retain said conductoraccurately imposition in said recess, a glow' lampfprovided with a pairof. terminals mounted within-the recess of said outer section, a fusecartridge provided withzan inlet and an outlet terminal extendingthrough the hollow tubularxportion o'saidinner section and having itsoutlet terminali adjacent said transversely arranged conductonsaidtransversely arranged conductor having a depending leg and a spring.tongue cuttherefrom and deflected to the same side asl the. dependingleg and. located in the path of saidcartridge, said tongue being inengagement with the outlet terminal of said cartridge, the depending legof saidvtransversely arranged conductor being electrically connected tothe'V complementaledge ofjsaid thimble, a resistance element, an offsetconductor onp'said inner section having an end lthereof in contact withthe inlet' terminal of said'cartridge and its opposite endv connected tothe eon'iplemental end of said resistance element, a conductor leadingfrom one of said pair of terminals ofA said glow lamp and extendingthrough the recess in said transversely arranged conductor: andconnected to the other end of said resistance element, and a secondconductor leading. from the other of said pair of terminals of said glowlampand electrically connected to said transversely arranged conductor.

4. An indicator fuse plug construction comprising an inner sectionprovided with a hollow tubular extending portion, an outer sectionhaving a hollow tubular portion, the hollow' tubular portion of theouter section enclosing thev hollow tubular portion olthe inner sectionand spaced from the latter, a thimble for -securing the said sectionstogether, said outer` section including spaced walls deningVA a recess,a transversely arranged conductor within said recess and supported onsaid outersection, a. glow lamp provided with a pair of terminalskmounted within said recess, a fuse cartridge rovided with an inlet andan outlet terminal extending through the hollow tubular portion of saidinner section and having its outlet terminal adjacent said transverselylarranged conductor, said transversely arranged conductor having adepending leg and a spring tongue cut therefrom, said tongue being inengagement with the outlet terminal of said cartridge, the depending legof said transversely arranged conductor being electrically connected tosaid thimble, a resistance element, a conductor on the inner sectionhaving an end in contact with the inlet terminal of said cartridge andits opposite end connected to the complemental end of said resistanceelement, a second conductor leading from one of said pair of terminalsof said glow lamp and connected to the other end of said resistanceelement and a third conductor leading from the other of said pair ofterminals of said glow lamp and electrically connected to saidtransversely arranged conductor.

MELVIN G, CHITTUM.

REFERENCES CITED The following referencesV are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,957,345 Kregstedt Maly 1,1934 1,927,372 Kriegstedt Sept. 19, 1933 1,927,334 C018 Sept. 19, 19332,234,480 Schmidt Mar. 11, 1941

